Women of NASA

Take Our Daughters To Work Day

Webchat with Dr. Pat Cowings

April 25, 2002

[ DrPatCowings - 185 - 20:02:52 ]
Thanks Ann Mary--Hi everyone!!!!

[ DrPatCowings - 187 - 20:08:55 ]
RE: Are you currently working on an experiment (with neurophysiology or anything else) on the shuttle or the ISS, and if so, what is it and what are the results so far?
Well I have done experiments with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the Shuttle and the Mir Space Station. All of our research is designed to help people adapt to space quickly and re-adapt to Earth. We teach people to control their own heart rate, blood pressure, sweating etc. Recently, I was asked by the father of Lance Bass to train his son before his space tourist trip to ISS. We'll have to see if NASA HQ says okay.

[ DrPatCowings - 188 - 20:13:56 ]
RE: What is the funnest aspect of your career? Dani, Maine
Was that "funniest" or most fun? Most fun is working with the actual space crew -- helping them is what my life's all about. Funniest -- learning to land the shuttle in a simulator -- I crashed 10 times (blew out the tires) -- but I got it down safely twice!

[ DrPatCowings - 197 - 20:26:00 ]
RE: What do you do at your work?
Study human adaptation to unusual environments and come up with ways of helping them to adapt faster -- that's what I hope to do for Lance Bass.

[ DrPatCowings - 198 - 20:26:54 ]
RE: Nikki V.: I don't have a question, but I would just like to thank you for the contributions you have made to the space field. You are an inspiration for women everywhere!
Thanks Nikki V. I do my best.

[ DrPatCowings - 199 - 20:27:50 ]
RE: Anastasia/Oregon: What is your educational background?
My Ph.D. is in Psychology -- no better field than to study the animal that invented all the other fields!!

[ DrPatCowings - 200 - 20:29:08 ]
RE: Do you still train astronauts?
Whenever I can get the chance -- Hope to be training space tourists soon!!!!!

[ DrPatCowings - 202 - 20:30:48 ]
RE: Miguel/Honduras: how did you get interested in this field?
Hi Miguel -- Well I have always been interested in studying human potential -- you know -- How FAR can we go?? And, I've always been a Trekkie. So put that all together and you get Space Human Factors!!

[ DrPatCowings - 203 - 20:32:27 ]
RE: Cinderella from unfairville: who was your role model?
Cinderella -- my mom was my role model. Honest. She taught me not to think in terms of "limitations" put on me by being born a black woman. She taught me to think in terms of "explore your HUMAN potential."

[ DrPatCowings - 204 - 20:36:03 ]
RE: Bob/Alabama: what is biofeedback?
Hello Bob -- Biofeedback means "showing a person information about their own bodily responses" -- in real time. Like looking at your heart rate on a meter or measuring your blood pressure. With this kind of information, you can learn to control your own bodily responses. We teach control of 20 responses in 6 hours -- but we're very good.....

[ DrPatCowings - 210 - 20:43:56 ]
RE: Tina/London: what were you like when you were young?
Hi Tina. I was skinny and I was the only girl (have 3 brothers) ... I was sort of a nerd, liked to read science fiction, and hated housework. Played baseball pretty well though -- had to show up my brothers, didn't I?

[ DrPatCowings - 212 - 20:45:29 ]
RE: [has any of your science fiction stories been published? if yes, what are they called and can they be bought? Zamora, Texas
No Zamora -- none have been published so far. My latest is called "Lunatics" and it's about the people who colonize the moon. I think it's funny -- and it was fun to write.

[ DrPatCowings - 214 - 20:51:06 ]
RE: [Lorna/Ireland: What are your plans for the future?
Keep on trying to find ways to help the people who go into space -- until my soul leaves the planet.

[ DrPatCowings - 215 - 20:54:58 ]
RE: [Connor/San Carlos: Are there a lot of women in your field?
More and more every day, I'm happy to say. And I've got two female grad students right now!! (and one guy)

[ AnnMary/YWAC - 216 - 20:57:44 ]
Thank you Patricia for sharing your profession with us. We wish you success in the future. Thank you also to those of you who posted questions for the chat.

[ DrPatCowings - 217 - 20:58:58 ]
My Pleasure -- Space Tourism Hopes for all our futures!!!